Compared to the outskirts of the forest, the environment here is even darker.
Towering trees exude a musty stench, and the air carries drifting spores of some unknown origin. The ground is covered in a slick layer of black soil that feels soft and unpleasant underfoot.
Fortunately for Rylan, who is using the standard helmet, his sense of smell isn't activated. With Eye of Insight on, he boldly searches the depths of the Corrupted Forest for higher-grade gathering materials and the Corrupted Rose.
Occasionally, powerful monsters spring out from behind bushes or trees, but Rylan doesn't mind; he doesn't dodge at all, allowing himself to be killed.
Boom…Boom…Boom!
A sudden commotion ahead catches Rylan's attention. He furrows his brow and hastens forward.
Given the game has only been live for less than two hours, it's unlikely that any normal players would be here. Unless, of course, they're deliberately seeking death like he is—but most regular players aren't that reckless. So the sounds of battle in this place instantly piques his curiosity.
He follows the noise and soon sees a group of four players facing off against a wolf-like creature covered in black fur.
Rylan activates Eye of Insight.
——————————
[Player: Sans]
[Level: 2]
[Player: I'm Really a 36F Cup]
[Level: 2]
[Player: Potato Superman]
[Level: 2]
[Player: Watermelon]
[Level: 2]
——————————
[Corrupted Wolf]
[Level: 12]
[HP: 1450/2800]
[Physical Attack: 166]
[Defense: 26]
[Speed: 8]
[Skills: Bite, Charge, Claw Barrage]
——————————
Four players, one monster. Rylan also notices two skeletal warriors wielding bone shields beside the Corrupted Wolf.
——————————
[Summoned Creature – Skeleton Warrior]
[Level: 10]
[HP: 600/3300]
[Physical Attack: 5]
[Defense: 16]
[Speed: 3]
[Skill: Shield Counter]
Description: Undead, mindless
——————————
At the sight of these skeleton warriors, Rylan immediately guesses the group's identity. The player named "Sans" must be the one who awakened the A-tier talent—those skeletons are his summons.
The other three are likely the ones who tried to curry favor with him in the Starter Village. Sure enough, they've formed a party with him.
"No wonder. An A-tier talent certainly gives you a big head start—being able to summon level 10 skeletons right out of the gate is a serious advantage. Too bad the players themselves are still only level 1. Just relying on those two summons makes beating a level 12 mob pretty difficult."
Rylan comments quietly as he watches them fight the Corrupted Wolf. It's possible for four level-1 players plus two level-10 skeleton warriors to take down a level-12 monster, but that kind of success demands well-honed teamwork and solid knowledge of the game—none of which these new players possess.
Unsurprisingly, before Rylan even finishes musing, the Corrupted Wolf charges forward, smashing one of the skeleton warriors aside. Next, it rushes over to a female player, raising its claws and slashing ferociously at her chest.
Two red damage numbers flicker through the air.
[-160]
[-162]
In an instant, the female player collapses.
"Damn it! Having such big boobs is basically a weak spot!"
"This wolf is too strong—we're no match for it!"
With one teammate down, the others grow alarmed. Sans's expression hardens. He'd figured that with two level-10 skeleton warriors, they could handle an over-leveled challenge. Reality, however, has been harsher.
Truthfully, the skeleton warriors had been very handy against monsters in the main part of the Corrupted Forest, but here in the deeper regions, they're in over their heads.
Even so, they've already whittled down half the wolf's HP, and there's valuable loot behind the wolf they've been aiming for. Walking away now would feel like giving up on everything.
But if they try fighting again, every time they resurrect on the spot, they lose 50% of their current level's EXP—wiping out any early advantage they've managed to build.
Both options feel miserable.
Lost in frustration, Sans glances back and suddenly sees Rylan, standing some distance away.
"Huh…?"
At this stage of the game, anyone roaming the depths of the Corrupted Forest must be an expert. Sans wants to call out to Rylan for help, but—
Shhhp!
The Corrupted Wolf lunges at Sans before he can act. Its razor-sharp claws slice through the air, slamming into him.
[-145]
A moment later, the wolf's paws strike again in a vicious Claw Barrage.
[-155]
[-151]
Sans doesn't even have time to react before his HP hits zero and his vision goes gray.
"Leader!" Potato Superman shouts as Sans hits the ground. Watermelon's face twists in horror.
Meanwhile, Rylan notes a few other details via Eye of Insight.
Behind the Corrupted Wolf, near the mouth of a small hollow in a tree trunk, is a pile of items.
[Level 3 Healing Fruit]
[Level 3 Fine Iron Ore]
[Level 4 Wine Fruit]
Apart from these, there's a faint green glow coming from within the tree hollow—a bronze treasure chest.
Right away, Rylan understands why Sans and his teammates have been struggling with the Corrupted Wolf: they're after that loot.
But with Sans dead, his skeleton warriors soon vanish as well. The wolf howls triumphantly and tears off after the remaining players.
In less than two seconds, Watermelon also goes down. Rather than immediately resurrect, all four of them remain in place, possibly weighing their options.
They know that resurrecting on the spot will cost them 50% of their current EXP, yet heading back to the village means giving up on those items and the bronze chest.
"Sans, what do we do now?"
"Should we revive in town or resurrect here?"
"It's no use, man. Even if I come back, my summoning talent is on cooldown. It'll be 2 hours and 32 minutes before I can summon another skeleton!"
"Damn it!"
They're still discussing in their party chat when Rylan steps out from the sidelines, casually strolling past them toward the tree hollow behind the Corrupted Wolf.
The party notices him, and so does the wolf.
Without hesitation, it launches at Rylan, its claws swiping down.
Miss…
A bold notification pops up.
Rylan remains unscathed—he simply twists his body slightly and avoids the attack completely. Under the stunned eyes of the four fallen players, he continues onward toward the hidden bronze chest.
"Holy crap, how did he dodge the wolf's strike like that?!"
"Wait… you can do that in this game?"
Their astonishment rings through their chat channel.
Just then, the forced countdown on their corpses expires, and a white light flashes as all four are teleported back to the Starter Village for revival.
Right before they vanish, Sans helplessly watches as Rylan steps forward and heads straight toward the hollow tree containing the chest and precious materials.